Leaderboard

It is with heartbreak and sorrow that I must announce the passing of well-known ICT supporter, my great friend for many years, and the best man at my wedding Stewart Anderson. Stewart, his brother Ross, another friend Calum, and I sat directly above the tunnel from the second season of ICT at the Caledonian Stadium and even if you didn’t know him, you likely knew of him or encountered him. It will always be an unforgettable sight to have seen the big man in full swing shouting “encouragement” to opposition players, managers, and referees! Those tickets changed hands over the years as paths crossed and uncrossed or personal circumstances changed, but always within people who were a part of that group with Stewart at or near the centre. The banter and ‘encouragement’ on a Saturday afternoon were all just football. Away from the stadium, Stewart was the proverbial gentle giant, a 6’5” teddy bear dedicated to family and friends who was also hardworking and conscientious. He would never knowingly do you any wrong and would give you the shirt off his back to help you if needed. I had the privilege to know Stewart for nearly 30 years. It started through football but transcended into far more areas of our lives. Stewart became a close friend before I moved to Canada, and when I did, he was the best man at my wedding, his dad Blair was our piper, and his mum Mary and brother Allan were also in attendance. He gave a speech at the reception that made even the ministers blush (we had two ministers – a husband and wife team from Nova Scotia who were very broad minded). I think I still have the handcuffs and blow-up sheep somewhere! Over the years we had some memorable times in Scotland at ICT games both home and away, starting or ending in either the Caley Inn or the Innes Bar. He came to Toronto a couple of times after the wedding and we had a fun time travelling through the Rockies from Vancouver to Edmonton, then to Calgary and back to Toronto. Another time he came to Toronto then with us to Cuba where he celebrated mine and my wife’s 5th anniversary in style, looking and feeling equally happy as he relaxed with a Pina Colada and a Cuban cigar at the beach in Varadero or sipping a Mojito in Hemingway’s bar in Havana. He also came with me to a couple of Toronto FC games that year and managed to get an entire pub singing “Bridge and Castle”! (see video). He made friends here in Toronto who still ask for him after all this time. Friends who I will now have to break this tragic news to and who will feel the pain like everyone else. Stewart was a bit of a technophobe, who just about managed to work his way around Facebook, so you won’t find him as a previous poster on the site. However, you will find many on here who knew the big man, respected, and loved him, and will miss him dearly. I am seldom lost for words, and even though I have a thousand stories I could relay about fun and crazy times with the big man, I am honestly and truly at a loss for more to say right now other than that I am thinking of his parents Blair and Mary and his siblings Blair, Ross, and Alan. I offer them my sincere and heartfelt condolences which I know will barely make any dent in their loss, but hopefully at some point, they can take comfort in knowing that my feelings are reciprocated across thousands of people whose lives Stewart has touched over the years whether from his travels, work, family, or football and every one of us sings the same song about his warmth and generosity. To Stewart, what else can I say but ‘Jeezo Big Man - Rest in Peace. I love you. I cherish all the happy memories we had together. I even cherish the times we disagreed. It made our friendship stronger, and you truly were the best man, not just my best man. You were one of a kind and I will miss you dearly. I and many others in several countries will raise a ‘peedy’ to your memory and look back on your life with great pride to have known you and been a part of it. Rest in Peace my friend. //Scott.

Looks like the 'Top Four', have all served the one match suspension, probably only Deas could get to 12 before the play-offs [for a 2nd ban], so might be worth playing Harper at LB after Q0S. Might be worth starting with Duffy in the last games instead of Broadfoot to rest him. Think we need to protect Carson a bit as well. Be good to give MacGregor game time after QoS, plus Samuels

At last night’s game, his scarf was laid across his seat. A very poignant moment for all involved. Thank You ICT for winning on his behalf!

One of life's greats, and the most gentlest of giants. Totally gutted when I heard the news, and I extend my condolences to everyone who knew him, especially the Caley Inn Crew who were perhaps closest to him and most certainly a second family. His towering figure. His laugh. His humour. Just him. He's going to be missed be many. Heartbreaking. Rest easy big man

Lovely words Scotty. I had heard. Stew was an institution and, like everyone has said, was friendly, kind and generous of heart. When Wanderer and myself started pitching up at the Caley Inn he was one of the first to "break the ice " and welcome us into the fold......wow, quarter of a century ago!......and when you opened the door at the Innes and saw Stew and the crew you knew you were in the right place. The scarf draped across the seat is so poignant. So sorry for your loss Scotty .....if I close my eyes and think of the Innes , Stew will always be there.

Do you ever take a break from moaning because all you do is pick on me for my opinion !!? Not once did I say that I wasn't calling for change, I merely pointed out that others were agreeing with me in calling for change or at least questioning whether he could turn it around. Then I go on and state that its a good job that Mr Gardiner ignored these loud cries for change because it would have been easy to give us what we wanted. Now leave it at that because I don't want this thread to go off topic

I was absolutely shocked to hear of his passing. Can't believe it. What a wonderful gentle giant he was. So many laughs with the big man, so many happy memories. The Caley Inn, the Innes Bar, the stories, the peedys, broken chairs and tile toasties. We still love you 'big man' and will keep memories alive for many many years. Sincere and heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends. R.I.P you absolute legend of a man.

Reflecting on last night's game, two thoughts come to mind; Carson must start and we need to wear the pink strip every game between now and the end of the season.